(a) It is the purpose of this section to establish a liberal system under which Alaskan residents not employed by the state who do not meet the minimum educational or experience criteria for state employment may demonstrate their abilities and achieve temporary or permanent state employee status. This program is intended for use primarily in remote or underemployed areas where the opportunity to gain required hiring qualifications does not exist, but where there is a local need for employees with certain vocational skills. The provisions of this section apply notwithstanding the provisions of AS 39.25.150(3).
(b) The director of personnel shall establish vocational standards as alternatives for educational or experience levels now required for nonprofessional occupational areas under the state personnel system and incorporate these alternatives into the state classification plan.
(c) Applicants shall be placed on lists for the vocational classification indicated in their applications based on an assessment of their vocational ability and place of residence.
(d) The director of personnel shall establish rates of pay for the selected vocational substitution classifications in relation to the beginning entry classification pay rates. However, vocational substitution personnel may not be classified lower than one pay range below the range to which the classified position is allocated.
(e) The director of personnel shall embody a concept combined of vocational ability, place of residence, local hire, and area unemployment in the personnel rules to accomplish the intent of this section.
(f) Applicants selected under this section are subject to the provisions of AS 39.25.160.
(g) [Repealed, § 19 ch 67 SLA 1983.]